| WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Marion Berry (D-AR, 1st) issued the following statement today to reassure the agriculture community that he will work with the new Democratic Leadership to prioritize the needs of our farm families. In addition to pushing for agriculture disaster assistance, Berry will work to reverse a provision in the recently passed Deficit Reduction Act that limits advance direct payments for farmers from 50% to 22% for the 2007 crop year.
“The historic November election proved that American voters are ready for change. They want leaders who will prioritize the needs of hard working families and reverse years of policies that favor the special interests of corporate America. This new direction will bring opportunities to towns across rural America.
A successful agriculture community is absolutely essential to the economic and national security of this nation. Our government must make sure farmers have the resources to weather rising production costs from fertilizer, fuel, natural gas, and disaster cleanup. American agriculture cannot carry this burden alone.
That is why we must work to reverse a provision in the recently passed Republican Deficit Reduction Act that reduces the amount of financial assistance farmers may receive in advance to manage production costs. The 2002 Farm Bill allowed farmers to access up to 50 percent of their direct payment in advance through 2007. Thanks to the Bush Administration’s continued assault on family farms, producers will receive just 22% of their direct payment in advance this year.
As a life-long farmer and advocate for the agriculture community, I look forward to serving in a Congress that recognizes the needs of rural America. We are prepared to put an end to years of neglect, and make the priorities of our working families the positive agenda this country deserves.” |
